Merkley's Bill to Ban Animal Torture Videos Passes Senate

Ban sends message that horrifying videos of animals being tortured and killed for human sexual gratification will not be allowed.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act of 2010, a bill introduced this week by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, passed the Senate unanimously Tuesday evening.

The bipartisan bill, cosponsored by Senators Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Richard Burr (R-NC), criminalizes the creation, sale, distribution, advertising, marketing, and exchange of animal crush videos.

"The torture and killing of animals for pleasure and profit is absolutely unacceptable," Merkley said. "I’m pleased that we were able to move this bill quickly through the Senate and I’m hoping for prompt passage through the House."

"Crush videos" are sexual fetish videos of women mutilating small animals with their feet. A 2009 Supreme Court decision ruled that a previous law banning sale of the videos was overly broad.

The House previously passed by an overwhelming margin similar legislation, the Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act (H.R. 5566), sponsored by Representatives Elton Gallegly (R-CA) and Gary Peters (D-MI).

Because the two versions differ slightly, the House will need to pass the Senate bill in order to send it to the president’s desk.

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Daniel October 1, 2010 1:18 pm (Pacific time)

Vic Jeff Merkley did introduce a bill to control military contractors and one to limit foreign oil imports with domestic alternative production . Merkley has been against the war from the beginning but as junior senator from oregon his power is limited . He is one of the few good ones , and sure he has baggage all politicals do , but let us see what he produces as his seniority increases and he gains some power . Douglas I see this more as an animal abuse issue not free speech . Just as snuff films are about killing for thrills not free speech . The fact is the real animal abusers are the animal factory farms . But its ok for them to kill because its in the millions not just a few , they have a license to kill .

Chris Kelty September 30, 2010 8:59 am (Pacific time)

Essentially similar laws like this are already on the books in all 50 states, but at least it shows elected officials of both parties coming together to pass something. Now if they can call a special session (both houses) before the election, pass a budget and vote on our future tax rates. My husband and I have a small business, but we have good cash flow and want to expand which would allow us to hire several more people, but the uncertainty of our tax rates disallows us to forecast a budget. This is happening all over the country, so we as a nation will not start having a significant impact on the unemployment rate until these "children" start doing their job instead of their absurd political posturing. The democrats have had 20 months to deal with this and now they exit to do their politikin'. We must have elected officials who understand the concept of priority.

Douglas Benson September 30, 2010 6:56 am (Pacific time)

As sick as this is and as much as I am offended by it ,its thier right to free speach let them have it .

Karen September 29, 2010 7:25 pm (Pacific time)

Thats pretty sad!:(

Vic September 29, 2010 7:07 pm (Pacific time)

I am actually more shocked and offended by human families being blown to bits by Hellfire missiles from drones operated thousands of miles away by airforce punks with joysticks....HOW ABOUT THE WARS MERKLEY? How about you introduce a bill making it illegal to wipe out weddings, funerals or housefuls of people under the assumption that among the dead is a "terrorist"? Political pablum...."starin at a gnat and swallow a camel"...Talk about picking an easy battle...what can we expect next? A bill banning eating your own children? That would be another easy victory...why tackle something difficult?

Gert September 29, 2010 3:05 pm (Pacific time)

Maybe they can get Mike Vick, NFL quarterback, to do PR? Afterall, according to Whoopi Goldberg, the killing and torturing of dogs by Mike was more of a cultural manifestation caused by decades of slavery, that no doubt was genetically transferred via DNA. I wonder why that transfer has not happened to those other people who had historical records of slavery literally centuries longer than Mike's kinfolk? Anyway glad Merkely is doing something besides hanging out eating hot dogs and swapping spit with his followers.

Anonymous September 29, 2010 12:05 pm (Pacific time)

Seems though, from all the latest legislation, its just fine to do all these things to PEOPLE tho. Indefinite detention without representation, assassinations of Americans, the latest video of Israel murdering a 19 year old American Citizen who was filming with his little camera, then after being wounded, on the ground, they put 4 more rounds in his head while obama/senators keep silent, body scanners with radiation 10 times higher than x-rays, GMO food, depleted uranium that has not only made fallujah the worst health country in the world, but killing our soldiers, white phosphorus on Palestinians..i could write 3 more paragraphs on this, but since Merkely gets AIPAC money, and signs a letter in forever/unwavering support for Israel, the animals will be ok, but the people will all die. merkely can go to heck, and hope he gets voted out. This is nothing but a November ploy..wake up people.

J+ September 29, 2010 10:06 am (Pacific time)

What sort of penalties are prescribed? Will this be Federally enforced, or left to States (who should cover it under existing laws re: animal cruelty/neglect already)? Animal cruelty is more offensive to me than child pornography. I hope it carries the same stiff sentences.

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Merkley's Bill to Ban Animal Torture Videos Passes Senate

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